Two people were rescued near the Grass Lake channel entrance to Nippersink Lake west of Antioch Thursday morning after their snowmobile broke through the ice.

After spending more than 15 minutes partially submerged in icy water, the 71-year-old driver from Niles and a 54-year-old female passenger from Chicago were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries, according to Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Christopher Covelli.

Covelli said a nearby Com Ed crew assisted a sheriff's deputy and Antioch Fire Protection District officials with the rescue.

According to Covelli, the snowmobile broke through the ice as it was heading southbound while approaching the Nippersink channel. Both the snowmobile and the riders were partially submerged in the icy water.

The passenger managed to reach her mobile phone and called 911 at 11:30 a.m., Covelli said, and was speaking with and being instructed by a sheriff's office dispatcher for more than 15 minutes while she was still in the water as rescue personnel were directed to the scene.

Covelli said a three-person Com Ed crew and a sheriff's deputy, all near the scene, were able to rescue the male driver while an Antioch Fire airboat crew rescued the female passenger.

All of those assisting in the rescue "did a great job," Covelli said.

The male was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, while the passenger was taken to St. Catherine's Medical Center in Pleasant Prairie, Wis.

Despite the subfreezing daytime temperatures lately, Covelli said there are still areas of thin ice on the Chain O' Lakes, especially near channels.

"This is a cautionary tale," he said, adding that those venturing on the ice should always make sure it is thick enough to support them and any vehicles.